CDU/CSU split deepens over Germany’s future pension funding crisis

A generational clash erupts in Germany’s ruling coalition over pension funding. Will the Young Union’s pressure force a costly compromise—or fracture the party?

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2025 November 19 . 3:06 AM

1 min read

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CDU/CSU split deepens over Germany’s future pension funding crisis

A dispute over future pension costs has split Germany’s CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Stefan Nacke, a CDU lawmaker and chair of the group, insisted that unpredictable expenses after 2032 were never part of the original plan. The disagreement now involves key figures, including the party’s lead candidate in Baden-Württemberg.

The conflict centres on long-term funding for the pension system. Nacke argued that no agreement existed for costs beyond 2032, sparking tension within the group. His remarks followed pressure from younger members of the party, including the Young Union and Young Group.

Pascal Reddig of the Young Group and Johannes Winkel, leader of the Young Union, pushed for clarity on the issue. Their intervention gained support from the centre-left labour wing of the CDU/CSU faction. The dispute has also drawn in Manuel Hagel, the CDU’s state chairman in Baden-Württemberg and its top candidate for the Bundestag. As a central figure in pension debates, his stance could shape the outcome.

The Young Union’s position reflects broader concerns about financial stability in the pension system. Their argument has now found backing across different wings of the party, complicating negotiations.

The pension dispute remains unresolved, with Nacke’s comments highlighting deep divisions. Hagel’s role as lead candidate adds weight to the debate, while the influence of the Young Union grows. The outcome will determine how future pension costs are managed after 2032.